National Republican., 1887-12-24

ter's Debut.
This week has been comparatively quiet
In social circles. The storms OF the early
days OF tho week, the increased hurry OF
holiday preparation during the latter days
have occupied the time. Everybody has
been shopping, Mrs. Cleveland, the first
lady Of the land, setting the example OF
carrying her own parcels into the doors Of
the white house herself. Mrs. Cleveland
has not inaugurated any days Of reception
rs yet. She see people who send requests
by appointment, and on Tuesday, stormlng
as 1t was. she received Mrs. Whitney, who
accomplished Mrs. Floyd 8. Bryce, Mrs.
and Miss Letter, and Mr.. aud Mrs.
Moran. II Is not likely that, with
tLt snort season OF less than six weeks with
four evening receptions, three state din
ners, and three Saturday afternoons, that
Mrs. Cleveland will hold any morning
levees, such as were so enjoyable last year,
this season. One can easily believe that
Mrs. Cleveland welcomes tho opening OF
the official saason's gaiety that will give
her respite from her present absolute Sc
clusion. 1t is scarcely realized By persons
who do not stop to consider how few peo-
pie Of her own age the bride OF the white
house has for associates. IL is related that
when Mrs. Cleveland's young schooi
friends were visiting at the white house she
was not acquainted with enough young
men In this city to invite In to make up
card party.
The epidemic Of runaway marriages that
was sure to follow the "bfiliant" example
given by the Bancroft Carroll escapade has
now probably run its course. The second
instance, the Melbourne. Berry Wall busi
ness, fell tolerably fat, and the Hillyel.
Bulkley performance was extremely exas
peratiDg to the members aud friends OF the
three families concerned. Neither OF th
latter events carried off the romantic and
high-handed eclat Of the initial occasion
They have the inanity that stamps imitators
An irregular proceeding 10 the matter Of
marriage is In shockingly bad taste, aud
people indulging In elopements suggest the
criticism to censoifous world that they
feared the consequences Of announcing an
engagement.
The social event of the week par excel.
lence was the debut OF Miss Letter aud the
coming out tea that was given for her on
Thursday In the Kuickerbocker style OF
New York CITY,. Everybody knows. that
the southern style, the generous big ball,
with all the possible friends of the house
invited, is quite the opposite to this sort OF
thing, and the number OF teas that have
been given Of late years to introduce fair
buds upon the social sea mark the trdpsit!ou
of the capital from southern to northern
city. The Misses West, Miss Daisy Ricketts,,
and Miss Agnes Dolph were introduced at
balls, but the fashion is obtaining here more
and more Of presenting young girls 80
quietly that half of the people who attend
the tea are not morally certain that any
one has been Introduced tbereat, and dis
cussions often follow among people return
ing from an entertainment In the vain hope
Of settling the point. The policy seems to be
In this wiser generation not to mark the
young ladies' entree with too much empha-
sis. However, Miss Letters debut made
considerable furore. The Blair mansion
was lighted and few palms spread their
green leaves In effective corners. A bunch
or two OF roses shed soft fragrance
thorough the rooms. Mrs. Letter, dressed 10
Worth costume Of black satin combined
with gray satin, received her guests
In In the the "a, second md, drawing raw g,uroota room
finest white wool, caught at the waist with
golden girdle, edged at the skirt with five
tucks, and at the half-high bodice with folds
OF crepe lisse. In these folds she wore a
clueter pin OF white enameled violets
Added to all the charms Of person that
have been generously conceded Miss Letter
is that Of softly low and well modulated
voice, "an excellent thing in woman" MIS-,
"" Viola Meyer and Miss James, daughter o
Judge James, assisted the hostess in re
ceiving, aud Miss Bradley and Miss Thorr
sat at table in the library and poured tea
and chocolate alternately. Som,
Of those present were Mrs. Falrchild, Mrs
Villas, Mrs. Staunton, Mrs. Biddle, Mrs
and Miss Wallacn, Miss Macomb, Senator
and Mrs. Mcpherson, Mrs. HIT, Justic,
and Mrs. Miller, Justice and Mrs. Blatch
ford, Justice and Mrs. Stanley Matthews
Justice and Mrs. Bradley, Minister ant
Nine. Romero, Mrs. +; 3. Loripg, tn
John Rodgers, Mrs. and Miss Foster, Mr.
L. Tuckerman, Mr.. Sam Ward, Col. ant
Mrs. John Hay, Sir Lionel West, Coun
Sala, Baron Won ZedtwitZ, and Mr.. Love
morn. A second tea follows the first one Oh
next Thursday, and many Of the first In
ylted are conjecturlpg. upon what distinc
as 1t was not alphabetically divided. as will
be seen, nor yet did she divide the tow
geographically for her guests. The tran
spiring Of the second event Is breathlessl.
awaited. Mrs. Letter will receive he
friends on Tuesdays, and will give eithe
one big ball or series OF small dances dur
Ing The winter.
The dancing class held Its fourth meetinl
last evening. 1t was entertained by Mrs
Nelson Brown, who was assisted by he
daughter, Miss Rosalie Brown, and th
usual chaperones OF the class. The mex
meeting will be In Mrs. Whitney's ball room
and this will wind up the five meetings tina
It was the intention Of the class to hav
when It organized in November. The othe
meetings were held at Mrs. John r. Nc
Leans, Mrs. Whitney's, and at Mrs. Wal
lach's. Mrs. Whitney entertains the youn
people q second time.
The family Of Senator Farwell will be
pleasant acquisition here. It Is predicts
that they will be asked everywhere. OF tn
two young ladies Of the house one is en-
gagged to Je married, and will probably nc
nd much OF her time 10 this city: IN
the spring. Senator Farwell has taken
house on Seventeenth street, near to Gen
Sheridan's.
ireland as it Is.